Move Over Tom Brady, Maria Menounos Is StubHub’s Super Bowl LII Quarterback (Video)
“I am pretty much an expert on how to have the best time ever at a Super Bowl,” the TV host, Emmy winner and diehard New England Patriots fan tells TheWrap
Debbie Emery | January 21, 2018 @ 10:00 AM
Last Updated: January 21, 2018 @ 10:01 AM
Entertainment TV anchor, radio host, WWE wrestler, quarterback — is there anything Maria Menounos can’t do?
The former “Access Hollywood” and “Extra” anchor has teamed up with StubHub to channel her inner Tom Brady by acting as “honorary quarterback” to call the plays for their “Playbook” promotion ahead of Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4.
“It was kind of a natural connection. A friend worked with them, and I’ve been going to the Super Bowl with her for years — this is my 16th,” Menounos told TheWrap on how she got drafted by StubHub.
The “Playbook” will be released in a series of tips and videos through game day. It is designed to give fans everything they need to make it to NFL’s biggest game and to the biggest pre-game fan event of the week, “StubHub Live: Field House,” which is a complimentary event for StubHub Super Bowl ticket buyers held at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
“The pre-party at the Field House for fans is where everyone gets their StubHub tickets before the game, so that party really sets the tone of the day,” Menounos explained. “I am the honoree quarterback, and I am pretty much an expert on how to have the best time ever at a Super Bowl.
Her top tips? “Everyone needs clear bags [because of NFL security regulations], have a good hot dog and a ice cold beer [just because] — and be prepared for anything,” she told us.
It goes without saying that the Super Bowl is the biggest NFL game of the year, and that momentum radiates from the field to the stands (or luxury boxes). “The electricity that runs through your body especially when your team is there is unbelievable — last year I was smashing the boards so hard that I lost the diamond from my engagement ring,” the newly-wed revealed.
Of course, the Medford, Massachusetts, native is hoping and praying that her beloved Patriots will be back to win a sixth ring under Brady, and she thinks she may even be able to help them.
“The first Super Bowl I went to was the first win for the Pats, so I am bit of a good charm,” she said, referring to Super Bowl XXXVI when a young Brady led them to an unlikely victory over the St. Louis Rams.
“Last year was the greatest Super Bowl in history; there will never be a game like that,” Menounos continued. But we’re sure there are some Atlanta Falcons fans who’ll disagree after their team gave up a 28-3 lead to get beaten in overtime.
“When we were down, I was so defeated. I’d had a premonition before the game that they’d do things they’d never done before, and I ran into the suite and said that something unbelievable was going to happen,” she said. “Then I thought I was so wrong. But then we did win … I was texting friends saying ‘we’ve gotta believe, we’ve gotta believe!'”
For the tiny portion of the population who didn’t watch Super Bowl LII, the Patriots went on to win 34-28 — and make NFL history.
When New England was losing, “I was so depressed,” Menounos said, “but Lady Gaga coming out at halftime and killing it was a sign to me … I was like ‘no, I am not going to throw a pity party.'” Let’s hope Justin Timberlake can do the same thing this year.
When asked if she thinks the Patriots can do it again and win a third Super Bowl in four years, Menounos replied: “I always try to be cautious and I don’t want to underestimate a opponent; Jacksonville has a great defense,” she said of their AFC Championship opponents. “I am nervous, but who can beat us? We are so rock solid and we have so many weapons, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are unstoppable force.”
While she’s often spotted wearing a Number 12 Brady jersey, Menounos was in a full wedding dress on New Year’s Eve when she married longtime partner Keven Undergaro live on air during Fox’s broadcast from Times Square — with co-host Steve Harvey officiating, no less!
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“I never ever would have expected it to happen like that,” Menounos said of her wedding day. “During my first meeting with the producer [about the show], she said ‘we’re going to have someone get married on the show,’ and suggested me and Keven do it.”
Although initially very cautious, “I got into my car and the light went on, and I thought ‘this might be the perfect thing to do.’ At the end of the day, my mom has Stage 4 brain cancer and you never know what is going to happen.”
With just two weeks of planning, the happy couple was married on Dec. 31 surrounded by close family — and thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers at the biggest party in America.
“It was exactly what we wanted it to be … intimate, but not intimate obviously! I was so excited to be a part of the show that night, but I thought people were crazy to be out in that cold,” she added.
As for her own health battles, Menounos underwent surgery for a brain tumor seven months ago but says she is doing well. “I am still giving myself time to recover and not over doing it.
The experience has also given her a fresh outlook on life. “That’s why we got married. It has changed my perspective on work, everything. I am not on my phone constantly anymore — I leave it behind so I can always be present,” she said.
Check out Menounos’ Super Bowl pre-game at StubHub.com. The Field House kicks off Super Bowl morning and goes until game time. Ticket pickup for fans that purchased Super Bowl tickets on StubHub will also take place at this location on the same day.
Super Bowl LI: Taylor Swift, Chris Evans, Chrissy Teigen Invade Hottest Parties in Houston (Photos)
Fergie was the star of the show at ESPN the Party on Friday night, giving the VIP guests and sports stars an energetic hour-long show in the construction zone-themed space in Houston's Arts District.
Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for ESPN
Football, baseball, college football analyst -- is there anything Tim Tebow can't do? He looks pretty damn good on the red carpet at the ESPN the Party on Friday night, as well.
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"Sunday NFL Countdown" legend Chris Berman (pictured with Fergie) is saying goodbye to the show after decades of being the voice of football Sundays, but got a VIP send off at ESPN the Party.
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Tedy Bruschi knows a thing or two about winning Super Bowls with the Patriots and was happy to share his knowledge with TheWrap at ESPN the Party on Friday.
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"SportsCenter" host Cari Champion tried to get a dance party going on the red carpet at ESPN the Party, and dished to TheWrap about how she'd been rapping on set this week. Look out for a career as "MC Squared" in her future!
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Never one for subtly on or off the field, former NFL player Terrell Owens showed off his unique style at ESPN the Party Friday night.
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Le'Veon Bell attended New Era Cap's official Super Bowl party "Planet New Era" at Vrsi in Houston on Friday and tried on some new hats.
Swift amped up the energy to 11 with the crowd acting like it was overtime in a Super Bowl (which has never happened, FYI), as she headlined 2017 DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday at Club Nomadic Friday.
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Taylor Swift delighted 9,000 fans at the 2017 DirecTV NOW Super Saturday at Club Nomadic in what she said is her "only show of 2017, as far as [she] know[s]."
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Were Jeremy Renner and Chris "Captain America" Evans plotting their next action movie at the DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday -- or just enjoying Taylor Swift?
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Model and "Lip Sync Battle" co-host Chrissy Teigen was among the hundreds of A-listers at DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday, and we're sure she had some witty tweets about it afterwards.
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Ruby Rose DJed to warm up the crowd, then got to be a fan herself while Taylor was performing.
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Maxim is know for its out-of-this world party experience and this year was no different, with Travis Scott and DJ Khaled entertaining the beautiful crowd at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. Host Karma International pulled out all the stops and, this time, they partnered with personal injury attorney and philanthropist Thomas J. Henry to present the bash.
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Cole Whittle, Joe Jonas, JinJoo Lee and Jack Lawless of DNCE arrived together to the Maxim party, where specialty cocktails were provided by Avion Tequila and Absolut Elyx.
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After performing at ESPN the night before, Fergie played hostess at the Maxim party with Maya Henry.
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Rapper Just Brittany shimmered at the Maxim Super Bowl Party with Travis Scott, DNCE and DJ Khaled.
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Maxim host and power attorney Thomas J. Henry with rapper Ludacris at the Maxim Sugar Land extravaganza.
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Dak Prescott took on (and lost to) Eric Berry in a furious game of Madden at the EA party on Thursday night.
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Snoop Dogg started the week off on a high note at the EA Madden Bowl at Club Nomadic Thursday.
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The Chainsmokers were a pretty cool warm-up act for Snoop at the EA Madden Bowl at Club Nomadic Thursday.
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Super Bowl halftime show veteran Bruno Mars added a lot of pep to the LIFEWTR Art After Dark at Club Nomadic on Friday.
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Fox Sports and "Dancing With the Stars" host Erin Andrews with her NHL star fiancé Jarret Stoll at the LIFEWTR Art After Dark on Thursday night.
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West Hollywood's chicest club met Houston's finest on Saturday as Bootsy at Vrsi. John Terzian, Brian Toll and The h.wood Group (The Nice Guy, Delilah, Peppermint). "Mad Men's" Jon Hamm proved to be just as dashing as Don Draper when he popped by.
Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Maxim
Is Tony Romo giving someone the Heisman? The Dallas Cowboys QB was among the guests at the 4th Annual Bootsy Bellows Big Game Pop Up, taking over the Vrsi nightclub space in Houston Saturday night, where the attendees enjoyed sips by Red Bull, Absolut ELYX, Avion Tequila, and Martell Cognac, and activations by Zappos! Porta-Party.
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WWE legend Ric Flair was a huge hit among football and wrestling fans alike at the Bootsy Bellows Big Game Pop Up. In addition to live entertainment by burlesque dancers, puppets, impromptu acts, and sounds by celebrity deejays, DJ Quiz, Devin Lucien, and Fred Matters.
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Ashanti and Ja Rule headlined The Barstool Party 2017 on Friday, with DJ Dante the Don -- Rob Gronkowski's favorite spin master -- manning the decks.
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Maria Menounos cuddled up to Jiffy the Pom at SiriusXM at Super Bowl LI Radio Row.
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Rosenhaus Sports Representation & Thuzio Executive Club Party was an industry affair with super agent Drew Rosenhaus (above with co-host Tiki Barber and CEO of Thuzio Executive Club, Jared Augustine) at Clutch welcoming his top clients from all sports. Even the DJ -- Marcellus Wiley -- is a former football player turned ESPN "SportsNation" host.
DJ Dat Dude Marcellus Wiley proved he's multi-talented at the Rosenhaus Sports Representation & Thuzio Executive Club Party.
Playboy + TAO took over Spire Nightclub in Houston on Saturday night, with plenty of Playmates and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's Effen vodka in free flow. Rapper Flo Rida proved, as always, that it was "My House," then dropped hit tracks "Zillionaire" and "Apple Bottom Jeans."
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Rich Eisen, Mike Tirico, David Diehl, Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic got the crowd excited for the Super Bowl from the stage of the the Wheels Up Super Saturday Tailgate in the Washington Avenue Arts District of Houston. Guests got to enjoy a crawfish broil, BBQ stand, hip Wheels Up clothes, and a rocking country show from Jake Owen.
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Houston Texans defensive end and local hero J.J. Watt was one of the hosts at the Wheels Up Saturday Tailgate, where he was a good sport signing footballs for kids and throwing them into the crowd.
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Jake Owen closed out the 4th annual Wheels Up Super Saturday Tailgate to a packed house on Feb. 4, 2017 in Houston, in front of a crowd of famous fans of the membership-based private aviation company.
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Shaquille O'Neal dwarfed his fellow guests at the Fanatic’s owner Michael Rubin’s Super Bowl Party at Bayou Place in Houston on Saturday.
Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Fanatics
Flo Rida -- the busiest man Super Bowl weekend not on the Patriots or Falcons payroll -- performed at the Fanatic’s owner Michael Rubin’s Super Bowl Party at Bayou Place in Houston on Saturday.
Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Fanatics
Adrian Grenier, Houston Texans Linebacker Whitney Mercilus, CY Young Winning Pitcher, Roger Clemens, NFL Game Analyst, David Diehl, Dolphins QB TJ Yates, former Oakland Raider, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Denver Broncos’ Owen Daniels, Houston Texans player, Quintin Demps and Houston Texan and Washington Redskin David Anderson were among those putting on their poker faces at the Bulls & Blackjack party to benefit the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, the Wade Smith Foundation and the WithMerci Foundation.
Hung Truong Photography, Earch Photo, Quy Tran and Rick Leal Photography
Adrian Peterson and Ray Lewis caught up to talk football Thursday night at the Bulls & Blackjack party held at Dr. Quang and Staci Henderson’s manor in Houston's River Oaks area.
Hung Truong Photography, Earch Photo, Quy Tran and Rick Leal Photography
Adrian Grenier played for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation at the Bulls & Blackjack party Thursday, but he -- and everyone else -- was beaten out by pro player Maria Ho, who was the last celebrity standing in the Texas Hold-em Tournament.
Hung Truong Photography, Earch Photo, Quy Tran and Rick Leal Photography
2 Chainz performed classics including "I'm Different," "No Lie," "Watch Out," and "Birthday Son" at New Era Cap's official Super Bowl party "Planet New Era" at Vrsi in Houston on Friday.
Peter Barreras/AP Images for New Era Cap
Migos performed a packed set including "Bad & Boujee," "T-Shirt," "Casting Call" and "Emmit Smith" as the hall of famer himself was in attendance at New Era Cap's official Super Bowl party "Planet New Era."
Peter Barreras/AP Images for New Era Cap
The day before his team made history (again) Patriots owner Robert Kraft hung out with Meek Mill at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party, held in the heart of Houston’s Theater District, The Ballroom at Bayou Place.
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Proving once again to be the most fun team owner in the NFL, Kraft took to the stage with Flo Rida at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party.
Robin Marchant and Joe Scarnici for Getty Images for FANATICS
Two New York sporting greats, Alex Rodriguez and Odell Beckham Jr., teamed up at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party the day before SB LI.
Robin Marchant and Joe Scarnici for Getty Images for FANATICS
"Charmed" star, football fan and sportswear designer Alyssa Milano wore her Touch collection (and some cool cornrows) at the the 26th Anniversary of Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose on Saturday.
Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Taste Of The NFL
Who says the Super Bowl can't be about fine food? Celebrity Chef hosts Alex Guarnaschelli and Andrew Zimmern joined celebrities plus current, past and Hall of Fame NFL players to commemorate the 26th Anniversary of Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose on Saturday.
Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Taste Of The NFL
Rob, Glenn and Gordie Gronkowski, DJ Dante the Don, and DJ Shaun Frank sprayed the crowd with 45 bottles of champagne at the Patriots Post-Parade celebration. Now that's how you end Super Bowl week!
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The parties moved east to New England after the Patriots won the Super Bowl, as Rick Ross, DJ Dante the Don and Vinny Vibe headlined the Post-Parade Celebration at the Shrine at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut on Tuesday night.
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Patriots players Rob and Glenn Gronkowski could finally kick back and party with DJ Dante the Don and Vinny Vibe at the Post-Parade Celebration.
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Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki posed with Kenny Hamilton and Fara Leff at The h.wood Group's Bootsy Bellows Big Game Pop Up, hosted by G-Eazy.
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DirecTV, ESPN, Maxim, Playboy, Bootsy Bellows, Rolling Stone, EA and Wheels Up are just a few of the A-list hosts dominating the party scene in Houston
Fergie was the star of the show at ESPN the Party on Friday night, giving the VIP guests and sports stars an energetic hour-long show in the construction zone-themed space in Houston's Arts District.